Day 2 - Issue 37
Playback speed
READ: Luke 23.44-46 NLT
By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
These incredible words take us to the heart of Good Friday. Good is hardly the word. This is the most incredibly, amazing, wonderful day that has ever happened in which God showed us just how much he loved us. Anyone can use words of love, but words are cheap and can easily be said. It’s only when we see actions that we know that love is real, and when Jesus died on the cross we discover the full extent of God’s love for us in sending his own son to give everything for us.
Jesus’ death on the cross changed everything. As he died the thick curtain in the Temple was torn in two. That curtain was the barrier that ensured that people were kept out of the Holy of Holies. Only the High Priest was able to go into that holiest place of all, and he was only permitted to do so once a year. Nothing could have been more significant than the tearing of the curtain, and it proclaimed to the world that through the death of Jesus everyone was welcome into the holy presence of God.
This Easter millions of Christians around the world will celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection. But this Good News belongs to the world, not just to us. As we give thanks for God’s amazing generosity to us let us pray for our families, neighbours and communities and all those for whom the life, death and resurrection of Jesus mean nothing at all. Let’s keep in mind the torn curtain and remind ourselves that Jesus came to show his complete love for them just as much as for us.
QUESTIONS: What does Good Friday tell you about God’s love for you personally?
PRAYER: Lord God, thank you that you have shown me complete love through the death of Jesus on the Cross. Help me to live in the light of that love and be constantly eager to pass it on to others. Amen
Released on 2 Apr 2021
Coming up next
Day 3 - Issue 37
READ: Luke 23.55-56 NLT 'As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabb...
Day 4 - Issue 37
READ: Luke 24.1-3 NLT 'Very early on Sunday morning, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesu...
Day 5 - Issue 37
READ: Luke 24.13-16 NLT 'That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things...